Chinese enterprises and non-governmental groups are positive to extending support for post-earthquake reconstruction works in various sectors.

A Chinese delegation representing the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) held a meeting with the authorities at the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) on Wednesday to discuss and update the progress about the reconstruction works supported by the government of China after the 7.8-magnitude quake struck Nepal on April 25, 2015.

The delegation led by CICIR President Ji Zhiye met with Sushil Gyewali, chief executive of the NRA, and drew attention towards the status of the post-quake reconstruction projects funded by China, said Bhishma Kumar Bhusal, deputy spokesperson for

the NRA.

“The Chinese team was also interested to discuss about the funding gap in overall reconstruction works in Nepal and expressed interest in bringing in private sector investments from China for reconstruction projects,” he added.

China had pledged grant and loan totalling Rs 76 billion (RMB 4.7 billion) during the International Donor Conference in June last year to help Nepal recover from the disaster. Of that amount, Rs 50 billion have been spent on

25 different reconstruction projects, including Rs 1

billion to build housing units in various quake-affected

districts.

The Chinese areas of interest include public facilities, encouraging Chinese enterprises and non-governmental groups to participate in Nepal’s economic reconstruction, training professionals and skilled personnel and helping them restore damaged cultural heritage sites.

Though, the international donors and development partners had pledged $4.4 billion in aid—loans and grants—to support Nepal’s reconstruction efforts, it was later revised to $3.5 billion due to duplication of some funds and projects, said Bhusal. Of the total committed funds, Nepal has so far received $1.8 billion.